Globally accessible computer network-based broadband communication system with user-controllable quality of information delivery and flow priority

ABSTRACT

A method for providing broadband communications over a multi-layered network having a plurality of Open System Interconnection (OSI) Reference Model layers functioning therein includes monitoring at least one OSI reference model layer functioning in the multi-layered network. A quality of service event is determined whether to have occurred in the multi-layered network. The quality of service event is determined to have occurred at a layer N in the OSI reference model. Network provisioning is changed at a layer less than N in response to the quality of service event, and a signal is provided when the network provisioning at the layer less than N has been changed. A system for providing broadband communications includes a multi-layered network, a network monitor, and a network controller. The multi-layered network has a plurality of Open System Interconnection (OSI) reference model layers functioning therein. The network monitor is coupled to the multi-layered network, and the network monitor is adapted to monitor at least one OSI reference model layer functioning in the multi-layered network, determine that a quality of service event has occurred in the multi-layer network, and determine that the quality of service event occurred at a layer N in the OSI reference model. The network controller is coupled to the multi-layered network, and the network monitor is adapted to respond to the quality of service event in the multi-layered network by changing the network provisioning at a layer less than N.

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 50/205,529 filed May 19, 2000.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates generally to a communication systemthat operates in association with a globally accessible computernetwork, such as the Internet, and, more particularly, to amulti-layered communication system that is implemented with a broadbandcommunications platform that enables quality of application servicedelivery and user control over the priority of information deliveryflow.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] The Internet has become vital to both businesses and consumers.The initial role of the Internet as an information tool has led toexplosive adoption of its use; however, the massive growth of theInternet has outpaced the capabilities of its infrastructure. Contentproviders have moved from providing static information to distributingapplications that consume large amounts of bandwidth.

[0006] The delivery of high quality service to an end user whilemaintaining an ability to provide a significant increase in bandwidthover a global reach is an unmet challenge of contemporary communicationsystems. The public Internet is plagued with user problems such ascongestion (too many users) and latency (long pauses and delays) and is,therefore, unable to support an increase in communication networktraffic resulting from the presence of additional users and the adventof rich media applications. Deterministic applications include, forexample, media rich content, low latency applications, and otherapplications requiring mission critical delivery scheduling. Severalcauses of user problems are deliberate off-loading and routing of datatraffic through congestion points, inadequate security, and lostinformation resulting from the currently used best-effort routingpractices.

[0007] The structural layers of the Internet, which include networkproviders, service providers, software providers, and content providers,work independently and thereby create an infrastructure based onindividual convenience and legacy systems without consideration of theinteraction among the constituent participants. Telecommunicationcarriers have networks optimized for voice but not data. InternetService Providers (ISPs) oversubscribe their networks in an effort toachieve or sustain profitability. The public Internet is, therefore, afundamentally flawed model from a financial, business, and technologicalperspective for the delivery of low latency, high throughputapplications, such as media rich content and other deterministicapplications.

[0008] Moreover, the Internet has a different set of transmission issuesfrom those faced by Local Area Networks (LANs), Metropolitan AreaNetworks (MANs), and Wide Area Networks (WANs). LANs include directoriesthat authorize LAN end-users to use applications or obtain information.The directory is a baseline component of the functionality that comeswith LAN connectivity. LANs have historically been more important tobusinesses than residences because LANs enable enterprise-wideapplications. MANs facilitate the interconnection of corporate LANsbetween buildings in a city as well as enable the interconnection ofcorporate networks to a WAN for voice and data traffic. They are alsothe local loop infrastructure that connects end users to the Internet.WANs serve as the backbone for corporations that operate in multiplecities and are the national or global networks that connect the majorityof users. Public WANs, which serve as the Internet backbone, have largeamounts of available bandwidth; however, no widely used routing systemexists that avoids the congestion and best efforts delivery method oftoday's Internet.

[0009] The Internet at numerous points has congestion that results from“peering” and commercially expedient routing policies at the peeringpoints, such as Metropolitan Area Exchanges (MAEs), where there is noeconomic incentive to carry traffic over any particular equipmentbackbone structure. Peering routing is a consequence of the practice ofmultiple service providers (SPs) using their routers to exchangeinformation transmission routes with one another. Commercially expedientrouting is the practice of an SP choosing a nearest location to transferapplications, irrespective quality of service considerations. Thus, thefinite number of available locations for exchanging information becomesoverly congested because application routing is motivated by commercial,not quality of service control, considerations.

[0010] The Internet operates with end users by way up dial-up modems orLANs connected by an ISP local loop and thereby create over the LAN aload that typically exceeds the speed capability of the local loop. Theconsequence is that simple, high capacity bandwidth within the Internetby way of any ISP of rudimentary quality of service is insufficient tocreate a low latency, deterministic network solution. The demandsexerted on infrastructure support required by, for example, 10 millionusers simultaneously on line from all branches of the Internet currentlypresent a difficult bandwidth load management challenge, which promisesto worsen as broadband applications gain popularity and increase inusage.

[0011] What is needed, therefore, is a broadband communication systemthat can consistently deliver deterministic applications, irrespectiveof network-to-network architecture complications.

[0012] The present invention is directed to overcoming, or at leastreducing the effects of, one or more of the problems set forth above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] In one aspect of the present invention, a method for providingbroadband communications over a multi-layered network having a pluralityof Open System Interconnection (OSI) Reference Model layers functioningtherein is provided. The method includes monitoring at least one OSIreference model layer functioning in the multi-layered network. Aquality of service event is determined whether to have occurred in themulti-layered network. The quality of service event is determined tohave occurred at a layer N in the OSI reference model. Networkprovisioning is changed at a layer less than N in response to thequality of service event, and a signal is provided when the networkprovisioning at the layer less than N has been changed.

[0014] In another aspect of the present invention, a system is provided.The system includes a multi-layered network, a network monitor, and anetwork controller. The multi-layered network has a plurality of OpenSystem Interconnection (OSI) reference model layers functioning therein.The network monitor is coupled to the multi-layered network, and thenetwork monitor is adapted to monitor at least one OSI reference modellayer functioning in the multi-layered network, determine that a qualityof service event has occurred in the multi-layer network, and determinethat the quality of service event occurred at a layer N in the OSIreference model. The network controller is coupled to the multi-layerednetwork, and the network monitor is adapted to respond to the quality ofservice event in the multi-layered network by changing the networkprovisioning at a layer less than N.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The invention may be best understood by reference to thefollowing description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which like reference numerals identify like elements, andin which:

[0016]FIG. 1 illustrates a simplified prior art communication system;

[0017]FIG. 2 illustrates the functional layers of the Open SystemInterconnection (OSI) reference model;

[0018]FIG. 3 is a simplified block diagram of an illustrative networkcontrol system;

[0019]FIG. 4 is a simplified block diagram illustrating one exemplaryprocess for the network control system, illustrated in FIG. 3, inaccordance with one aspect of the present invention;

[0020] FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate an exemplary communication system whenviewed from different levels of the OSI reference model;

[0021] FIGS. 6A-6D illustrate another exemplary communication systemwhen viewed from different levels of the OSI reference model.

[0022] While the invention is susceptible to various modifications andalternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by wayof example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It shouldbe understood, however, that the description herein of specificembodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particularforms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover allmodifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spiritand scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

[0023] Illustrative embodiments of the invention are described below. Inthe interest of clarity, not all features of an actual implementationare described in this specification. It will of course be appreciatedthat in the development of any such actual embodiment, numerousimplementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve thedevelopers' specific goals, such as compliance with system-related andbusiness-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation toanother. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effortmight be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routineundertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit ofthis disclosure.

[0024] The broadband communication services delivery afforded by thepresent invention enables quality of service control by contentproviders, Application Service Providers (ASPs), local loop carriers,ISPs, and, by extension, their customers. This is achieved through aquality of service-capable broadband system that augments the Internet.The result is more control by users over the priority of theirinformation flow, more control by network administrators over thecongestion of their networks, and more control by content providers overcosts and the experiences they provide to their users.

[0025] Referring to FIG. 1, a prior art application data flow path 100through functional layers 104 of a communication system 108, such as theInternet, is shown. The basis of the functional layers 104 is the OpenSystem Interconnection (OSI) model. In this model, information may becommunicated between first and second users 112, 116 by traversingthrough the functional layers 104 as shown.

[0026] Referring to FIG. 2, an illustrative block diagram 200 of the OSIreference model is shown. Those skilled in the art will appreciate thatthe OSI reference model is comprised of seven separate layers (four ofwhich are illustrated in FIG. 1.) The seven layers of the OSI modelinclude an application layer 204, a presentation layer 208, a sessionlayer 212, a transport layer 216, a network layer 220, a data link layer224, and a physical layer 228. This model provides a useful referencewhen describing the various functions that may be involved in sendingdata across any communication system, such as the Internet. Moreover,those skilled in the art will appreciate that sending data across acommunication system may require traversing any number of the functionallayers of the OSI reference model. Furthermore, it may be appreciatedthat the communication resources (e.g., network devices, programs,protocols, hardware, software, etc.) in a multi-layered communicationsystem may be described, at least in part, by where they fit in the OSIreference model.

[0027] The physical layer 228 is layer 1 in the OSI reference model.This layer encompasses the physical features of sending data overcommunication lines. For example, layer 1 may be associated with coaxialcables, fiber lines, category 1-5 cables, and the like.

[0028] The data link layer 224 is layer 2 in the OSI reference model.This layer encompasses procedures concentrated on the operation ofcommunication lines. Error identification and correction are alsofunctions of this layer. Layer 2 may include SLIP, PPP, Ethernet, andthe like.

[0029] The network layer 220 is layer 3 in the OSI reference model. Thislayer establishes how data is transmitted between workstations,including the routing of data. Layer 3 may include IPV6, IPV4, and thelike.

[0030] The transport layer 216 is layer 4 in the OSI reference model.This layer directs the processes for end-to-end transfer of informationinside and between networks, including error recovery and flow control.Layer 4 may include TCP, UDP, and the like.

[0031] The session layer 212 is layer 5 in the OSI reference model. Thelayer controls communication resources and manages dialogue and thedirections of information flow. Layer 5 may include POP/25, 532, RPCPortmapper, and the like.

[0032] The presentation layer 208 is layer 6 in the OSI reference model.This layer allows different systems to communicate by converting theinformation format of an individual system into a standardconfiguration. Layer 6 may include HTTP, FTP, SMTP, and the like.

[0033] The application layer 204 is layer 7 in the OSI reference model.This layer includes protocols for specific application services andencloses virtual terminal software. File transfer may also occur withevents at the application layer. Layer 7 may include e-mail, newsgroups,web applications, and the like.

[0034] Although illustrative examples have been given for each of the 7layers in the OSI reference model, those skilled in the art willappreciate that many other communication resources may be categorized bywhere their functionality fits within the OSI reference model. Moreover,some communication resources may not fit completely within one layer ofthe OSI reference model, that is, the functionality of somecommunication resources may be best categorized with reference to morethan one OSI reference model layer. Nevertheless, most communicationresources (e.g., routers, multiplexers, switches, data lines,application programs, software, hardware, etc.) may be substantiallycategorized within one of the layers of the OSI reference model.

[0035] For the ease of illustrating the present invention, the layers ofthe OSI reference model may be expressed algebraically. For example,layer 3, the network layer 220, may be described illustratively as layerN. If this is the case, then the layer N-1 would be layer 2, the datalink layer 224, and the layer N-2 would be layer 1, the physical layer228. Similarly, if layer 3 is again expressed as layer N, then thelayers less than N would be comprised of layer 2 and layer 1. In anotherexample, if layer 7, the application layer 204, is describedillustratively as layer N, then the layer N-1 would be layer 6, thepresentation layer 208. Likewise, if layer 7 is described as layer N,then the layers less than N would include layers 6 through 1.

[0036] Referring back to FIG. 1, the data flow path 100 is showntraversing 4 of the OSI functional layers 104. These layers include theapplication layer 120 (layer 7), the network layer 124 (layer 3), thedata link layer 126 (layer 2), and the physical layer 128 (layer 1.)Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the data path 100 does notnecessarily have to flow through all 7 of the OSI layers, illustrated inFIG. 2, in order to facilitate a communication session between the firstand second users 112, 116. Rather, the OSI layers traversed by the dataflow path 100 may vary depending upon a variety of factors, such as thetype of connection between the first and second users 112, 116, thetopology of the communication link between the first and second users112, 116, the geographic location of the first and second users 112 116,the particular application sending the data, and the like.

[0037] As described above, if the OSI layers 104 are expressedalgebraically, in this example, layer 7 may be considered layer N, whilethe layers less than N may be the network layer 124 (layer 3), the datalink layer 126 (layer 2), and the physical layer 128 (layer 1.)Similarly, layer 3 could be considered layer N, which would make thelayers less than N the data link layer 126 (layer 2) and the physicallayer 128 (layer 1.)

[0038] In this illustrative embodiment, each of the OSI reference modellayers 104 may be implemented with an independent control system thatoperates under either central or distributed control. For example, thephysical layer 128 (layer 1) may represent the provision of circuitsthat effects an end-to-end connection between the first and second users112, 116 with an associated bandwidth, irrespective of the type of dataor nature of the protocol. In the case of fiber optic cable, there maybe multiple light transmissions wavelengths that provide separateinformation transmission channels. Carrier signal modulation andwavelength division multiplexing may also be carried out in layer 1.Layer 1 typically operates under control of a single computer that sendscontrol signals to all devices in the layer.

[0039] The network layer 124 (layer 3) may operate internally as adistributed IP layer under dynamic routing protocols in the absence of acentralized computer. The application layer 120 (layer 7) may be a webbrowser sending HTTP protocol.

[0040] Additionally, the first user 112 may be connected to a firstlocal loop 132, and the second user 116 may be connected to a secondlocal loop 136. The local loops 132, 136 may be comprised of LANs thatconnect the first and second users 112, 116 to the Internet. AlthoughFIG. 1 is being described with reference to the Internet, it iscontemplated that other communication systems (e.g., private Intranets,leased lines, etc.) may be used to send data between the first andsecond users 112, 116.

[0041] The backbone services, which are represented by line 140,represent a WAN of multiple geographically distributed locations, theequipment of which implement segmented connectivity through theInternet. For example, each location may operate equipment under aninternal switching scheme that moves locally the transmitted informationup and down the OSI layers. The WAN, therefore, may represent a networkimplementing a geographical progression of information transmitted upand down local OSI layers, such as the OSI layers 104 illustrated inFIG. 1.

[0042] Internet users define their services offered in terms of thefunctional layers of the OSI model and accordingly dictate businessstrategies. With reference again to FIG. 1, as applications/content aresent between the first and second users 112, 116, theapplications/content traverse each of the illustrated OSI layers 104 totravel from end to end of the communication system 108. Serviceofferings such as private communication lines (circuits) or dark fibermay be available at Layer 1, so that an application developer mustdetermine how to make the application function with TCP/IP, and anetwork architect for each application and project may determine whetherto use ATM or Frame Relay transmission. The product managers of theindividual services, circuits, fiber, ATM, Frame Relay, or IPS servicesmay define the particular service at the corresponding layer 104. Ofcourse, much of this interaction occurs transparently to the first andsecond users 112, 116.

[0043] The carrier service at an OSI reference layer is, typically,concerned only with how the end user or enterprise connects into itsnetwork at the correct points of demarcation on the network of thecarrier service at that layer. There is usually no consideration ofmaking the application work end-to-end up and down the OSI model stack104 in any of these carrier class services.

[0044] As a practical matter, no single OSI reference layer can resolveall of the quality of service and economic issues associated withdelivering deterministic applications such as streaming media contentacross the local loops 132, 136 and the backbone 140 between the users112, 116 by way of networks of multiple service providers. Theapplication traverses up and down the OSI stack 104 and may need qualityof service functions at several layers to achieve end-to-end quality ofservice at a price that is economical for connecting a target audience.

[0045] Typically, the applications/content source needs to use more thanone service (e.g., communication circuits, ATM and Frame Relaytransmission technologies) from more than one OSI layer 104 to make theapplication reach all of the intended audiences that are dispersedgeographically in different cities and countries across the world. Noconsistent policy exists to ensure quality of service in this approach.

[0046] The present invention implements a different approach to thetypical Internet model. The strategy of the present invention is tobridge the gaps between the layers of the OSI reference model,illustrated in FIG. 2.

[0047] Referring to FIG. 3, an exemplary network control system 300(control system) is shown. In this illustrative embodiment, the controlsystem 300 may be comprised of a network controller 304, a networkmonitor 308, and a resource database 312. The network monitor 308 may beused to monitor a network element 314, which may be interconnected withother network elements (not shown) using communication links 318.Moreover, although only one network element 314 is shown, the networkmonitor 308 may be coupled to a multitude of network elements 314, whichmay be interconnected using any number of communication links 318.Generally, the network elements 314 function as nodes in a network, andthe communication links 318 may be used to interconnect the nodes. Forexample, in one illustrative embodiment, an exemplary network element314 may be located in AT&T's wide area network, and the communicationlinks 318 may be used to interconnect the network element 314 with othernetwork elements (not shown) in AT&T's wide area network. In anotherembodiment, the network element 314 may be located in a private networkbetween two locations of a corporation (e.g., between Houston andDallas), and the communication links 318 may represent the variouscircuits or communication routes that interconnect the network element314 with other network elements (not shown) in the private network. Inanother example, the network element 314 may be a node in the Internet,and the communication links 318 may comprise the various communicationpaths that interconnect the network element 314 with other networkelements (not shown) in the Internet.

[0048] Although the complexities of the network monitor 308 are notshown, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the network monitor308 may be comprised of a variety of known devices. Moreover, thespecific hardware and software implementation of the network monitor 308may vary depending upon the particular implementation. However, in oneillustrative embodiment, the network monitor 308 is a Sun Netra T1server operating using the Solaris operating system.

[0049] The resource database 312 may be used to organize thefunctionality of the communication links 318 and the network elements314 according to the OSI reference model. In one illustrativeembodiment, the communication resources of the network element 314 maybe comprised of IP routers, ATM switches, fiber lines, applicationservices, and the like. Accordingly, the communication resources may beorganized in the resource database 312 according to their functionalitywithin the OSI reference model. For example, ATM switches may becategorize in the resource database 312 into layer 2, fiber lines may becategorized into layer 1, and application programs may be categorized inlayer 7.

[0050] The control system 300 is capable of recognizing thatcommunication resources (e.g., routers, fiber lines, ect.) may be sharedor exclusive. Accordingly, the network monitor 308 correlates theinformation of the various communication links 318 and presents it tothe resource database 312 in a logical manner. For example, the networkmonitor 308 may need to combine information from communication resourcesat multiple OSI layers or combine information from communicationresources in the same OSI layer. Moreover, the network monitor 308 mayalso collect topological information related to the network element 314,and this information may also be included in the resource database 312.For example, the network monitor 308 may capture the site of location ofa particular router, ATM switch, fiber line, etc. and the manner inwhich other devices are connected to it. To this end, the networkmonitor 308 may use standard industry techniques, such as simple networkmonitoring protocol (SNMP) and remote network monitoring (RMON) toperform its monitoring and reporting to the network controller 304 andthe resource database 312.

[0051] The resource database 312 may comprise a dynamic listing ofcommunication resources that are available in any network element 314.For example, the resource database 312 may be continually updated as newresources are added to the network element 314 and as old resources areremoved. Moreover, the network monitor 308 and the network controller304 may communicate with both the resource database 312 and the networkelement 314 to maintain an updated organized listing of the resourcesavailable in the network element 314. Those skilled in the art willappreciate that the resource database 312 may be stored on a separatestorage device comprised of a variety of known storage devices, such ashard disk drives, and the like. Alternatively, in another embodiment,the resource database 312 may be incorporated with the network monitor308 and/or the network controller 304.

[0052] The network controller 304 may communicate with the resourcedatabase 312, the network monitor 308, and the network element 314 usinga signaling network 322. Those skilled in the art will appreciate thatthe signaling network 322 may be comprised of a variety of devices andoperate using any number of known protocols. In one embodiment, thesignaling network 322 is comprised of fiber lines, and the communicationprotocol is IP.

[0053] The network controller 304 and the network monitor 308 maycommunicate with the communication links 318, over the signaling network322, by using existing communication ports and protocols of thecommunication resources (e.g., network devices, programs, protocols,etc.) functioning within the respective network elements 314. In oneembodiment, InterAgent® communication messaging software is a portion ofthe implementation of the network controller 304 and the network monitor308. The InterAgent® software is described in the U.S. Pat. No.5,634,010, which is hereby incorporated by reference. Moreover, thenetwork controller 304 and the network monitor 308 may have multipledevice drivers each of which provides a different command language suchas command line interface (CLI), to which Cisco System routers respond;command language used by AT&T for telco switches (TL1); common openpolicy service (COPS), which represent priority ranking commands; andsystem command languages.

[0054] Although the complexities of the network controller 304 are notshown, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the networkcontroller 304 may be comprised of a variety of known devices. Moreover,the specific hardware and software implementation of the networkcontroller 304 may vary depending upon the particular implementation.However, in one illustrative embodiment, the network controller 304 is aSun Netra T1 server operating using a Solaris operating system.

[0055] Furthermore, although the network controller 304, the networkmonitor 308, and the resource database 312 are illustrated as separatedevices, the functionality of each device may be implemented within asingle device. Moreover, the specific embodiment of the control system300 may vary depending upon the particular implementation.

[0056] Referring to FIG. 4, a method for providing broadbandcommunications over a multi-layered network having a plurality of OSIreference model layers functioning therein is shown. This process isdiscussed with reference to FIG. 3 to simplify illustrating the presentinvention. It should be appreciated that the configuration of thecontrol system 300, shown in FIG. 3, is just one of many possiblesolutions that may be used to implement the present invention. As aresult, the particular details of the control system 300, such ashardware, topography, connections, protocols, and the like, should beconsidered for the purpose of illustration and not for the purpose oflimitation. As described above, the exact details of the control system300 may vary depending upon the particular implementation. Furthermore,even though much of FIG. 4 will be discussed with reference to theInternet, it should be appreciated that the method depicted thereinwould be equally applicable to any communication system having aplurality of OSI reference model layers functioning therein.

[0057] At block 400, the control system 300 monitors at least one OSIreference model layer operating in the network element 314. As discussedabove, the communication links 318 connected to each network element 314may be categorized, in the resource database 312, according to theirfunctional layers of the OSI reference model. Accordingly, the networkmonitor 308 is capable of segmenting its monitoring of the communicationlinks 318 based on its own categorization scheme, in the resourcedatabase 312. For example, the network monitor 308 may focus itsinterest on the network layer (layer 3) of the OSI reference model bymonitoring routers and/or any other device associated with the IPprotocol. Similarly, the network monitor 308 may focus its interest onthe physical layer (layer 1) of the OSI model by monitoring fiber lines,cable lines, and the like. Moreover, the network monitor 308 may focusits interest on the application layer (layer 7) of the OSI model bymonitoring application programs and the like.

[0058] The monitoring process of the network monitor 308 may beproactive, reactive, or both. In one illustrative embodiment, thenetwork monitor 308 may monitor in a proactive manner by continuallypoling resources associated with the OSI layer being monitored. Forexample, at a predetermined time interval, the network monitor 308 maysend an update request to the communication resources operating in themonitored layer of the network element 314. In response, thecommunication resources may send the requested information back to thenetwork monitor 308.

[0059] In another embodiment, the network monitor 308 may monitor in amore reactive mode, wherein communication resources send alert signalsto the network monitor 308 when predetermined alert thresholds are met.For example, an application program (e.g., a web browser), functioningat layer 7 of the OSI reference model, may alert the network monitor 308when it is about to send time sensitive data through the network element314. As will be described below, once alerted, the network monitor 308may signal the network controller 304 to take appropriate action inresponse to the alert from the application program.

[0060] As described above, some communication resources may be difficultto associate with a single OSI layer. Accordingly, the network monitor308 may be required to monitor more than one OSI layer to capture anaccurate state of the network element 314. To accomplish this, thenetwork controller 304 may access the resource database 312 to determinehow to monitor the resources associated with a particular networkelement 314. For example, regardless of how the network monitor 308 hascategorized the communication resources in the resource database 312,the network monitor 308 may re-access its classification scheme from theresource database 312, and use it to facilitate monitoring thecorresponding resources of a network element 314. For example, in oneillustrative embodiment, the network monitor 308 may continually loopthrough the entries in the resource database 312, use the entries toassociate communication resources with their corresponding communicationlinks 318, and monitor the communication resources according to theclassification schemes in the resource database 312.

[0061] The network monitor 308 may monitor the communication resourcesof the various network elements 314 searching for quality of serviceevents. Generally, a quality of service event may be defined as anyevent that effects the quality of service of data being sent across acommunication system. Some exemplary quality of service measurementsinclude error seconds, unavailable seconds, packet loss rate,transmission time (latency), jitter (deviations from an expected value),bandwidth throughput, and the like.

[0062] Depending upon the implementation, the network monitor 308 maydefine and monitor error seconds in a variety of ways. That is, thespecific error second thresholds that the network monitor 308 searchesfor may vary depending upon the communication system. In one example,error seconds may take on its generally accepted meaning as applied toSONET circuits. However, in another illustrative embodiment, an errorsecond may be defined as any second in which a minimum of one and amaximum of 44 bit errors have occurred. Similarly, severely erroredseconds may be defined as any second in which there have been 45 or morebit errors. Finally, unavailable seconds may be a consecutive string of10 or more severely errored seconds. For example, 9 consecutive severelyerrored seconds are not unavailable seconds, but 11 consecutive severelyerrored seconds are also 11 unavailable seconds.

[0063] Packet loss rate may be defined as the number of packets that aresent to a particular destination but do not arrive. Again, the networkmonitor 308 may defme any arbitrary threshold value for packet lossrate, and the particular threshold value may vary depending upon thecommunication system. For example, if the network monitor 308 wasensuring a very high quality of service link between two points, thepacket loss rate and the error second threshold values may be set low toensure a high quality of service.

[0064] Transmission time (i.e., latency) may be defined as the timerequired to send data from a sending point to a destination point. As apractical matter, it is desirable to minimize transmission time. Jittermay be defined as deviations from the usual transmission time betweenthe two points. For example, if a normal transmission requires 100 msand, later, the same transmission takes 200 ms, then the jitter valuefor that particular communication link may be approximately 100 ms.Moreover, excessive transmission time and jitter may severely limit theability to send rich media content across a communication link 318(i.e., excessive transmission time and jitter may result in low qualityof service) even when the communication link 318 has sufficientbandwidth for the transmission.

[0065] Bandwidth throughput is probably the most commonly used qualityof service measurement. It is often defined as “the size of the pipe”between two points. For example, a DS-3 line may have a bandwidththroughput of 44.736 Mb/s, while an OC-1 line may have a bandwidththroughput of 51.84 Mb/s. Generally, a measurement of bandwidththroughput, alone, is insufficient to predict or gauge the quality ofservice that will be experienced between two points in a communicationsystem. For example, even though a communication link may have a largebandwidth throughput, if the communication link produces a large valuefor error seconds, packet loss, or jitter, the quality of serviceexperienced for the communication link may be very poor. As such, it maybe necessary for the network monitor 308 to monitor a variety of qualityof service measurements to ensure a that a particular quality of serviceis maintained.

[0066] Referring again to FIG. 4, at block 404, the network monitor 308may determine that a quality of service event has occurred in thenetwork element 314. As described above, the network monitor 308 maymonitor various quality of service measurements in the network element314. Determining whether a quality of service event has occurred mayvary depending upon, for example, the quality of service measurement,the OSI reference model layer being monitored, the communication link318, and the like. However, in one illustrative embodiment, the networkmonitor 308 may monitor a network element 314 for severely erroredseconds, and if a severely errored seconds measurement is determined tooccur in the network element 314, the network monitor 308 may determinethat a quality of service event has occurred.

[0067] In another illustrative example, an application program (e.g., aweb browser application) functioning at layer 7 of the OSI referencemodel may signal the network monitor 308 that it intends to send richmedia content to a particular destination in the network element 314.This signal from the application program may be considered by thenetwork monitor 308 to be a quality of service event.

[0068] It should be appreciated that a quality of service event mayoccur from any functional level of the OSI reference model. For example,the quality of service event may occur from an application program(layer 7), a router (layer 3), an ATM circuit (layer 2), an add dropmultiplexer (ADM) of a fiber circuit (layer 1), etc. Moreover, thenetwork monitor 308 may determine that a quality of service event hasoccurred in a network element 314 using proactive, reactive, or anyother measuring technique.

[0069] In addition to the quality of service measurements, a quality ofservice event may be the addition or deletion of communication resourcesin a network element 314. For example, the network monitor 308 may beused to determine when additional communication resources (i.e., fiberlines, routers, ATM circuits, ATM switches, leased lines, new routingprotocols, data delivery programs, hardware, software, etc.) have beenadded to a particular network element 314. When this occurs, the networkmonitor 308 may, among other things, determine that a quality of serviceevent has occurred in the network element 314, update the resourcedatabase 312 with the new communication resources, and alert the networkcontroller 304 respond.

[0070] Similarly, when communication resources are removed from anetwork element 314, either temporarily or permanently, the networkmonitor 308 may initiate a similar course of action. That is, thenetwork monitor 308 may determine that a quality of service event hasoccurred in the network element 314, remove the resources from theresource database 312, and alert the network controller 304 to respond.

[0071] Once a quality of service event is detected, the network monitor308 may determine that the quality of service event occurred at a layerN in the OSI reference model. For example, the network monitor 308 mayuse the resource database 312 to determine where in the OSI referencemodel the quality of service event occurred. In one illustrativeembodiment, the network monitor 308 may determine that a particularrouter is experiencing a high packet loss rate (i.e., the networkmonitor 308 may determine that a quality of service event has occured.)The network monitor 308 may then locate the router in the resourcedatabase 312 and determine that the quality of service event isoccurring at the network layer of the OSI reference model (layer 3).Therefore, layer 3 would become layer N.

[0072] In another illustrative example, an application program maysignal the network monitor 308 that it expects to send rich mediacontent to a particular location in a network. Accordingly, the networkmonitor 308 may characterize the signal as a quality of service event.The network monitor 308 may then locate where in the OSI reference modelthe application program resides using the resource database 312. Forexample, the network monitor 308 may determine that the applicationprogram functions at layer 7 in the OSI reference mode. Therefore layer7 would become layer N.

[0073] Referring back to FIG. 4, at block 408, the network controller304 may respond to the quality of service event in the network element314 by changing the network provisioning at a layer less than N. Asdescribed above, the resource database 312 organizes communicationresources of the network element 314 according to where thecommunication resources fit in the OSI reference model. Additionally,the resource database 312 maintains the relationship between the variouslayers in the OSI model for the communication resources. For example, inone illustrative embodiment, a communication link 318, when viewed fromthe perspective of layer 3, may appear to be an IP path. Accordingly,the communication link 318 would be organized in the resource database312 at layer 3. However, the IP path may also include a collection offiber circuits that only appears to be an IP path when viewed from layer3. Accordingly, in this illustrative example, the communication link 318would also be organized in the resource database 312 under layer 1. Thenetwork monitor 308 and the resource database 312 maintain theserelationships for all communication resources entered into the resourcedatabase 312.

[0074] In another illustrative embodiment, a communication link 318, mayagain appear to be solely an IP path when viewed from the perspective oflayer 3. However, the IP path may also include a collection of fibercircuits, ATM circuits, leased lines, and the like. Accordingly, thecommunication link 318 would be organized in the resource database 312under layer 3, layer 2, and layer 1. Again, the network monitor 308 andthe resource database 312 maintain these relationships, which may berecalled upon request.

[0075] Referring back to FIG. 4, at block 412, when the network monitor308 detects that a quality of service event has occurred in the networkelement 314, the network controller 304 may be called upon to respond tothe quality of service event by changing the network provisioning at anOSI layer less than N. An illustrative example of this is shown in FIGS.5A, 5B, and 5C.

[0076] Referring to FIG. 5A, a simplified illustrative communicationsystem 500 is shown. It should be appreciated that much of thecomplexity of the communication system 500 has been removed for thepurpose of simplifying the illustration of the present invention. Whenviewed from layer 3, the communication system 500 is comprised of afirst user 504 coupled to a first router 508 over a first signaling line512, and a second user 516 connected to a second router 520 over asecond signaling line 524. A data line 528 is coupled between the firstand second router 508, 520. In this embodiment, if the network monitor308 determines that a quality of service event has occurred in thecommunication system 500, the network monitor 308, using the resourcedatabase 312, is likely to determine that the quality of service eventhas occurred at the network layer of the OSI reference model (layer 3).However, the network monitor 308 may use its knowledge of thecommunication system 500 and the resource database 312 to determine thatthe communication system 500 is actually made up of communicationresources occupying different levels of the OSI reference model.

[0077] Referring to FIG. 5B, when viewed from layer 2 and layer 1 of theOSI reference model, the communication system 500 may actually includeadditional communication resources, such as first and second add dropmultiplexers 532, 536 and first and second STM-1 lines 540, 544 eachhaving 155 Mb/s of bandwidth (310 Mb/s total.) Generally, theinfrastructure of the communication system 500 residing in layer 2 andlayer 1 of the OSI reference model is transparent when the communicationsystem 500 is viewed from layer 3. That is, the first and second routers508, 520 and the first and second users 504, 516, of FIG. 5A, may beunaware that the communication resources of FIG. 5B (e.g., ADMmultiplexers, fiber lines, etc.) are used to transport data in thecommunication system 500. Moreover, if a quality of service event isoccurring in the communication system 500, it may appear that thequality of service event is occurring at layer 3 (i.e., FIG. 5A), whenthe resolution to the quality of service event is really at layer 2 orlayer 1 (i.e., FIG. 5B.)

[0078] Referring to FIG. 5C, once the network monitor 308 has determinedthat a quality of service event has occurred at layer 3 (FIG. 5A), thenetwork monitor 308 may signal the network controller 304 to respond tothe quality of service event in the communication system 500 by changingthe network provisioning at an OSI layer less than N. In thisillustrative example, the OSI layers less than N are layer 2 and layer1. In FIG. 5C, the network monitor 308 has changed the networkprovisioning in the communication system 500 by activating third andfourth STM-1 lines 548, 552, thus, increasing the bandwidth between thefirst and second users 504, 516 to 620 Mb/s.

[0079] The decision to activate the third and fourth STM-1 lines 548,552 may be based on a variety of factors, such as the type of quality ofservice event, past history with the third and fourth STM-1 lines 548,552, the characteristics of the data being sent between the first andsecond users 504, 516 (e.g., media rich content), and the like. Forexample, if the quality of service event was based on error seconds, thethird and fourth STM-1 lines 548, 552 may have been activated becausethey were known to produce relatively few error seconds. Alternatively,the network controller 304 may base the decision on availability, thatis, the network controller 304 may use the additional capacity as ahedge against future error seconds (i.e., error seconds and bandwidthmay be inversely related.)

[0080] In another illustrative embodiment, the quality of service eventmay be a signal from an application of the first user 504 that theapplication is about to send a large amount of data to the second user516. In this example, the quality of service event may appear to thenetwork controller 304 to be occurring at the application layer of theOSI reference model. Accordingly, layer N, in the OSI reference model,would become layer 7, and the layers less than N may be OSI layers 6through 1. Using the resource database 312, the network monitor 308 maysignal the network controller 304 to respond to the quality of serviceevent by changing the network provisioning in the communication system500 at an OSI layer less than N. As a result, the network controller 304may take similar action, as described above, and activate the third andfourth STM-1 lines 548, 552, illustrated in FIG. 5C.

[0081] Alternatively, rather than activating the third and fourth STM-1lines 548, 552, the network controller 304 may change the networkprovisioning by balancing the transmission load carried between thefirst and second STM-1 lines 540, 544. For example, if the first user504 is about to send a large amount of data to the second user 516, inresponse to this quality of service event (i.e., a layer 7 event), thenetwork controller 304 may adjust the load on the first and second STM-1lines 540, 544, such that the connection between the first and secondusers 504, 516 is allotted additional bandwidth.

[0082] Once the transmission is complete, the application operating atthe first user 504 may send an additional quality of service signal tothe network monitor 308 that the transmission is compete. The networkmonitor 308 may then signal the network controller 304 to respond to thequality of service event, and the network controller 304 may readjustthe load on the first and second STM-1 lines 540, 544 back to itsprevious state.

[0083] In yet another illustrative embodiment, referring back to FIG.5A, the network monitor 308 may determine that a quality of serviceevent has occurred in the communication system 500. As described above,the network monitor 308 is likely to determine that the quality ofservice event has occurred at the network layer of the OSI referencemodel (layer 3), and the resolution to the quality of service event islikely to be at an OSI layer less than 3. When this occurs, rather thanor in addition to provisioning additional circuits between the first andsecond routers 508, 520, the network controller 304 may respond to thequality of service event using multiprotocol label switching (MPLS).

[0084] Generally, MPLS involves setting up a specific path for a givensequence of packets, which may be identified by a label inserted in eachpacket. In this example, rather than looking up the address to the nextnetwork element 314, the first or second routers 508, 520 may be able toforward the packet to its next destination based on its label. In otherwords, MPLS typically allows for packets to be forwarded at the layer 2(switching) level rather than at layer 3. Thus, a quality of serviceevent in layer 3 may be resolved by changing the network provisioning atlayer 2, using MPLS.

[0085] The network controller 304 may use MPLS to respond to a layer 3or any other OSI layer quality of service event by controlling anddetermining the particular route data packets traverse through anetwork. For example, if a quality of service event is occurring at aparticular network element 314, the network controller 304 may use MPLSto route data traffic away from the problem causing network element 314.Additionally, the network controller 304 may use MPLS to balance ordistribute the traffic load across the network. Furthermore, the networkcontroller 304 may resolve a quality of service event using MPLS byensuring that the offending data packet traverse the shortest pathpossible to reach their destination. Generally, there are a variety ofschemes the network controller 304 may apply using MPLS to resolve aquality of service event occurring at an OSI layer greater than 2 (i.e.,layers 3-7).

[0086] Referring back to FIG. 4, as described above for block 412, thenetwork controller may respond to the quality of service event in amulti-layered network by changing the network provisioning at a layerless than N. Although this may be accomplished by provisioning anadditional circuit or path, as shown in FIGS. 5B and 5C, a change in thenetwork provisioning may occur without the addition of any newcommunication circuits or paths. For example, the network controller mayrespond to a quality of service event by changing the path of an MPLStunnel or by changing the priority on a queue in an IP router.Accordingly, for the purpose of the present invention, any change in theconfiguration, operation, characteristics, properties, etc. ofcommunication resources in a network may be described as a change innetwork provisioning.

[0087] At block 416, if the network provisioning has been changed at theOSI layer less than N, the network controller 304 may signal the networkmonitor 308 that the change in the network provisioning is complete. Thenetwork monitor 308 may then update the resource database 312 with thechange in network provisioning, and the network monitor 308 may continueto monitor the network element 314, waiting for quality of serviceevents to occur.

[0088] Referring to FIGS. 6A through 6D, another illustrative example isshown. In FIG. 6A, a communication system 600 is shown connecting firstand second users 604, 608. As described above, from the perspective oflayer 7 and layer 3 of the OSI reference model, the communication system600, more specifically the connection between the first and second users604, 608, appears to be a plurality of routers 612 coupled together by adata line 616. However, referring to FIG. 6B, if the communicationsystem 600 is viewed from layer 7, layer 3, and layer 2, of the OSIreference model, additional communication resources appear.

[0089] In FIG. 6B, the communication system 600 may appear, in thisillustrative embodiment, as an IP cloud 620 having an ATM cloud 624functioning therein. For example, the first user 604 may be coupled tothe IP cloud 620 through a first access router 628, and the first accessrouter 628 may be coupled to the ATM cloud 624 using a firstconcentrator router 632. Similarly, the second user 608 may be coupledto the IP cloud 620 through a second access router 636, and the secondaccess router 636 may be coupled to the ATM cloud 624 using a secondconcentrator router 640. Again, many of the complexities of thecommunication system 600 have been removed to simplify illustrating thepresent invention.

[0090] Referring to FIG. 6C, an illustrative example of the ATM cloud624 is shown. In this example, the ATM cloud 624 is comprised ofmultiplexers 644 and first and second virtual circuits 648, 652.Moreover, the virtual circuits 648, 652 may be permanent virtualcircuits or switched virtual circuits. As described above, if thenetwork monitor 308 determines that a quality of service event hasoccurred at a layer N, the network controller 304 may respond to thequality of service event by changing the network provisioning at an OSIlayer less than N.

[0091] Referring to FIG. 6D, if the network monitor 308 determines thata quality of service event has occurred at OSI layer 3 (FIG. 6A), thenetwork controller 304 may respond to the quality of service event bychanging the network provisioning at layer 2 or layer 1 of the OSImodel. For example, in FIG. 6D, the network controller 304 hasprovisioned a third virtual circuit 656 in response to the quality ofservice event.

[0092] In another embodiment, the quality of service event, at layer 3,may be the activation of the third virtual circuit 656. For example, asnetworks grow, additional communication resources are continually beingbrought online. When this occurs, the newly added resources (e.g., thethird virtual circuit 656) may appear at layer 3 (FIG. 6A) as anincrease in available throughput capacity, thus, triggering a quality ofservice event at layer 3. In response to the quality of service event,the network controller 304 may provision the newly added third virtualcircuit 656 for communication between the first and second user 632,636. As described above, once the change in network provisioning iscomplete, the network controller 304 may send a signal to the networkmonitor 308, and the network monitor 308 may update the resourcedatabase 312.

[0093] As indicated above, aspects of this invention pertain to specific“method functions” implementable through various computer systems. In analternate embodiment, the invention may be implemented as a computerprogram product for use with a computer system. Those skilled in the artshould readily appreciate that programs defining the functions of thepresent invention can be delivered to a computer in many forms, whichinclude, but are not limited to: (a) information permanently stored onnon-writeable storage media (e.g., read only memory devices within acomputer such as ROMs or CD-ROM disks readable only by a computer I/Oattachment); (b) information alterably stored on writeable storage media(e.g., floppy disks and hard drives); or (c) information conveyed to acomputer through communication media, such as a local area network, atelephone network, or a public network like the Internet. It should beunderstood, therefore, that such media, when carrying computer readableinstructions that direct the method functions of the present invention,represent alternate embodiments of the present invention.

[0094] The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only,as the invention may be modified and practiced in different butequivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having thebenefit of the teachings herein. Furthermore, no limitations areintended to the details of construction or design herein shown, otherthan as described in the claims below. It is therefore evident that theparticular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified andall such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of theinvention. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth inthe claims below.

What is claimed:
 1. A method for providing broadband communications overa multi-layered network having a plurality of Open SystemInterconnection (OSI) reference model layers functioning therein,comprising: monitoring at least one OSI reference model layerfunctioning in the multi-layered network; determining that a quality ofservice event has occurred in the multi-layered network; determiningthat the quality of service event occurred at a layer N in the OSIreference model; responding to the quality of service event in themulti-layered network by changing network provisioning at a layer lessthan N; and signaling that the network provisioning at the layer lessthan N has been changed.
 2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:segmenting the multi-layered network into communication resources; andorganizing the communication resources into a classification schemebased on the functionality of the communication resources and the OSIreference model, wherein the classification scheme maintains therelationships between the communication resources and the OSI referencemodel.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the classification scheme isstored in a resource database and monitoring at least one OSI referencemodel layer functioning in the multi-layered network comprises: loopingthrough the resource database to re-access the classification scheme;and monitoring the communication links according to the classificationscheme in the resource database.
 4. The method of claim 3, whereinsignaling that the network provisioning in the layer less than N hasbeen changed comprises updating the resources database with the changein the network provisioning.
 5. The method of claim 1, whereindetermining that a quality of service event has occurred in themulti-layered network comprises determining that a communication link inthe multi-layered network has insufficient bandwidth.
 6. The method ofclaim 1, wherein determining that a quality of service event hasoccurred in the multi-layered network comprises determining that acommunication link in the multi-layered network is exhibiting excessivelatency.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein determining that a quality ofservice event has occurred in the multi-layered network comprisesdetermining that a communication link in the multi-layered network isexhibiting excessive packet loss.
 8. The method of claim 1, whereindetermining that a quality of service event has occurred in themulti-layered network comprises determining that a communication link inthe multi-layered network is exhibiting excessive jitter.
 9. The methodof claim 1, wherein determining that a quality of service event hasoccurred at a layer N in the multi-layered network comprises determiningthat additional communication resources have been brought online in themulti-layered network.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein responding tothe quality of service event in the multi-layered network comprisesprovisioning the additional communication resources to a network elementin the multi-layer network, wherein the network element has an OSI layerless than N functioning therein.
 11. The method of claim 1, whereindetermining that a quality of service event has occurred at a layer N inthe multi-layered network comprises determining that a group ofcommunication resources are no longer operating in the multi-layerednetwork.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the quality of service eventin the multi-layered network occurs at layer 3 in the OSI referencemodel and responding to the quality of service event comprisesprovisioning additional OSI layer 1 circuits in a communication link ofthe multi-layer network.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the qualityof service event at layer 3 in the OSI reference model is related to aninternet protocol (IP) and provisioning additional OSI layer 1 circuitscomprises provisioning additional fiber optic circuits.
 14. The methodof claim 1, wherein the quality of service event in the multi-layerednetwork occurs at layer 3 in the OSI reference model and responding tothe quality of service event comprises provisioning additional OSI layer2 circuits in a communication link of the multi-layer network.
 15. Themethod of claim 14, wherein the quality of service event at layer 3 inthe OSI reference model is related to an internet protocol (IP) andresponding to the quality of service event comprises provisioningadditional ATM virtual circuits.
 16. The method of claim 14, wherein thequality of service event at layer 3 in the OSI reference model isrelated to an internet protocol (IP) and responding to the quality ofservice event through OSI layer 2 comprises resolving the quality ofservice event using multiprotocol label switching (MPLS).
 17. The methodof claim 1, wherein the quality of service event in the multi-layerednetwork occurs at layer 3 in the OSI reference model and responding tothe quality of service event comprises balancing bandwidth demand inexisting layer 1 circuits of the multi-layered network.
 18. The methodof claim 1, wherein the quality of service event in the multi-layerednetwork occurs at layer 7 in the OSI reference model and responding tothe quality of service event comprises provisioning additional OSI layer1 circuits in a communication link of the multi-layer network.
 19. Themethod of claim 1 wherein monitoring at least one OSI reference modellayer functioning in the multi-layered network comprises monitoringcommunication resources of the multi-layered network using a proactivemonitoring process.
 20. The method of claim 1 wherein monitoring atleast one OSI reference model layer functioning in the multi-layerednetwork comprises monitoring communication resources of themulti-layered network using a reactive monitoring process.
 21. A methodfor providing broadband communications over a multi-layered networkhaving a plurality of Open System Interconnection (OSI) reference modellayers functioning therein, comprising: monitoring at least one OSIreference model layer functioning in the multi-layered network;determining that a quality of service event has occurred in themulti-layered network; determining that the quality of service eventoccurred at layer 3 in the OSI reference model and that the layer 3quality of service event is related to an Internet Protocol (IP);responding to the quality of service event in the multi-layered networkby changing network provisioning at layer 1 in the OSI reference model,wherein the change at layer 1 includes provisioning additional fiberoptic circuits in the multi-layered network; and signaling that thenetwork provisioning at layer 1 of the OSI reference model has beenchanged.
 22. The method of claim 21 further comprising: segmenting themulti-layered network into communication resources; and organizing thecommunication resources into a classification scheme based on thefunctionality of the communication resources and the OSI referencemodel, wherein the classification scheme maintains the relationshipsbetween the communication resources and the OSI reference model.
 23. Themethod of claim 22, wherein the classification scheme is stored in aresource database and monitoring at least one OSI reference model layerfunctioning in the multi-layered network comprises: looping through theresource database to re-access the classification scheme; and monitoringthe communication links according to the classification scheme in theresource database.
 24. The method of claim 23, wherein signaling thatthe network provisioning in the layer less than N has been changedcomprises updating the resources database with the change in the networkprovisioning.
 25. The method of claim 21, wherein determining that aquality of service event has occurred in the multi-layered networkcomprises determining that a communication link in the multi-layerednetwork has insufficient bandwidth.
 26. A method for providing broadbandcommunications over a multi-layered network having a plurality of OpenSystem Interconnection (OSI) reference model layers functioning therein,comprising: monitoring at least one OSI reference model layerfunctioning in the multi-layered network; determining that a quality ofservice event has occurred in the multi-layered network; determiningthat the quality of service event occurred at layer 3 in the OSIreference model and that the layer 3 quality of service event is relatedto an Internet Protocol (IP); responding to the quality of service eventin the multi-layered network by changing network provisioning at layer 2in the OSI reference model, wherein the change at layer 2 includesprovisioning additional ATM virtual circuits; and signaling that thenetwork provisioning at layer 2 of the OSI reference model has beenchanged.
 27. The method of claim 26 further comprising: segmenting themulti-layered network into communication resources; and organizing thecommunication resources into a classification scheme based on thefunctionality of the communication resources and the OSI referencemodel, wherein the classification scheme maintains the relationshipsbetween the communication resources and the OSI reference model.
 28. Themethod of claim 27, wherein the classification scheme is stored in aresource database and monitoring at least one OSI reference model layerfunctioning in the multi-layered network comprises: looping through theresource database to re-access the classification scheme; and monitoringthe communication links according to the classification scheme in theresource database.
 29. The method of claim 28, wherein signaling thatthe network provisioning in the layer less than N has been changedcomprises updating the resources database with the change in the networkprovisioning.
 30. The method of claim 26, wherein determining that aquality of service event has occurred in the multi-layered networkcomprises determining that a communication link in the multi-layerednetwork has insufficient bandwidth.
 31. A method for providing broadbandcommunications over a multi-layered network having a plurality of OpenSystem Interconnection (OSI) reference model layers functioning therein,comprising: monitoring at least one OSI reference model layerfunctioning in the multi-layered network; determining that a quality ofservice event has occurred in the multi-layered network; determiningthat the quality of service event occurred at layer 3 in the OSIreference model and that the layer 3 quality of service event is relatedto an Internet Protocol (IP); responding to the quality of service eventin the multi-layered network by changing network provisioning at layer 2in the OSI reference model, wherein the change at layer 2 includesresolving the quality of service event using multiprotocol labelswitching (MPLS); and signaling that the network provisioning at layer 2of the OSI reference model has been changed.
 32. The method of claim 31wherein resolving the quality of service event using multiprotocol labelswitching further comprises: determining a location of the quality ofservice event in the multi-layered network; and using MPLS to route datatraffic away from the quality of service event.
 33. The method of claim31 wherein resolving the quality of service event using multiprotocollabel switching further comprises balancing data traffic throughout thenetwork.
 34. The method of claim 33, wherein balanacing the data trafficthroughout the network comprises routing time sensitive data through theshortest possible path in the network.
 35. The method of claim 31further comprising: segmenting the multi-layered network intocommunication resources; and organizing the communication resources intoa classification scheme based on the functionality of the communicationresources and the OSI reference model, wherein the classification schememaintains the relationships between the communication resources and theOSI reference model.
 36. The method of claim 35, wherein theclassification scheme is stored in a resource database and monitoring atleast one OSI reference model layer functioning in the multi-layerednetwork comprises: looping through the resource database to re-accessthe classification scheme; and monitoring the communication linksaccording to the classification scheme in the resource database.
 37. Themethod of claim 31, wherein determining that a quality of service eventhas occurred in the multi-layered network comprises determining that acommunication link in the multi-layered network has insufficientbandwidth.
 38. A system for providing broadband communications,comprising: a multi-layered network having a plurality of Open SystemInterconnection (OSI) reference model layers functioning therein; anetwork monitor coupled to the multi-layered network, wherein thenetwork monitor is adapted to: monitor at least one OSI reference modellayer functioning in the multi-layered network; determine that a qualityof service event has occurred in the multi-layered network; anddetermine that the quality of service event occurred at layer N in theOSI reference model; and a network controller coupled to themulti-layered network and the network monitor, wherein the networkcontroller is adapted to: respond to the quality of service event in themulti-layered network by changing the network provisioning at a layerless than N.
 39. The system of claim 3 8, further comprising: a resourcedatabase coupled to the network monitor, wherein the network monitororganizes communication resources of the multi-layer network into aclassification scheme based on the functionality of the communicationresources and the OSI reference model, and the classification schememaintains the relationship between the communication resources and theOSI reference model, which is stored in the resource database.
 40. Thesystem of claim 39, further comprising additional communicationresources in the multi-layered network wherein the network monitorsignals the resource data base that additional communication resourceshave been brought on line, and the additional communication resourcesare stored in the resource database.
 41. The system of claim 38, whereinthe multi-layered network comprises an OSI layer 2 circuit that wasprovisioned by the network controller in response to a quality ofservice event at OSI layer 3 in the multi-layered network.
 42. Thesystem of claim 38, wherein the multi-layered network comprises an OSIlayer 1 circuit that was provisioned by the network controller inresponse to a quality of service event at OSI layer 3 in themulti-layered network.
 43. The system of claim 38, wherein themulti-layered network comprises an OSI layer 2 circuit that wasprovisioned by the network controller in response to a quality ofservice event at OSI layer 7 in the multi-layered network.
 44. Thesystem of claim 38, wherein the multi-layered network comprises an OSIlayer 1 circuit that was provisioned by the network controller inresponse to a quality of service event at OSI layer 7 in themulti-layered network.
 45. The system of claim 38, wherein themulti-layered network comprises layer 3 network elements that wereconfigured by the network controller in response to a quality of serviceevent at OSI layer 7 in the multi-layered network.
 46. The system ofclaim 38, wherein the network monitor monitors communication resourcesof the multi-layered network using a proactive monitoring process. 47.The system of claim 38, wherein the network monitor monitorscommunication resources of the multi-layered network using a reactivemonitoring process.
 48. A computer readable program storage deviceencoded with instructions that, when executed by a computer, performs amethod for providing broadband communications over a multi-layerednetwork having a plurality of Open System Interconnection (OSI)Reference Model layers functioning therein, comprising: monitoring atleast one OSI reference model layer functioning in the multi-layerednetwork; determining that a quality of service event has occurred in themulti-layered network; determining that the quality of service eventoccurred at a layer N in the OSI reference model; responding to thequality of service event in the multi-layered network by changingnetwork provisioning at a layer less than N; and signaling that thenetwork provisioning at the layer less than N has been changed.
 49. Asystem for providing broadband communications, comprising: means formonitoring at least one OSI reference model layer functioning in themulti-layered network; means for determining that a quality of serviceevent has occurred in the multi-layered network; means for determiningthat the quality of service event occurred at a layer N in the OSIReference Model; means for responding to the quality of service event inthe multi-layered network by changing network provisioning at a layerless than N; and means for signaling that the network provisioning atthe layer less than N has been changed.